Built to Last

My friend and I were watching Selma last month and he said to me “See, they don’t make women like Coretta Scott King anymore. She stood by her husband when she knew he was being unfaithful. You present day women would leave your man in a heartbeat. You’re not built to last.” Yep, he actually said that BS. Really dude?

I had a WTH? look on my face as I tried to compose myself before responding. Believe it or not I can just respond and cut you with my words, but now that I’m 40 I’m trying to tame my tongue and think a full one minute before responding to foolishness.

But, I got myself together and said “Built to last? So, women should stand by a man who is unfaithful because we married him?” I almost choked on my water and then I couldn’t stop laughing because I realized that this man was serious.

I decided that my friend must be smoking some new and undetectable brand of crack for saying something so absolutely whack that I had to share it with all of you. I had to break down a few things to this man about what he thinks women should and shouldn’t put up with and dispel a few myths that he may be sharing among other men who may start believing this lie. Here are three of the myths that I came up with in response to his foolish belief.

Myth #1: Women Should Stand By an Unfaithful Partner

I’m saying partner instead of man because if you’re in a same sex relationship my advice would apply to you as well. You don’t have to stand by anyone who is being unfaithful to you. If YOU CHOOSE to stay in a relationship where you are being disrespected, it is your choice. But, not everyone is that strong. The thing about infidelity is that it cuts like a knife. I’ve been there. It hurts like hell. You want everyone in the situation to feel the same type of pain you have. No matter what, they don’t. Your pain is your pain. You own it. You have to nurture it. You have to heal from it.

I’m not suggesting you leave a marriage if they are unfaithful. This is a personal choice. However, there are a number of things that I would consider before staying in a marriage that was unfaithful: length of our marriage, the issues that we are having that made him seek someone outside of our marriage and can I truly forgive my partner. If I can’t forgive and not continuously bring it up then I need to leave the relationship. Your sanity will depend on it. But, there have been many couples who have stayed with an unfaithful partner and were able to fix their marriage. It’s your choice.

However, don’t think you weren’t built to last if you choose to leave. That is a myth. You just don’t want to continue being a relationship where your partner has broken your trust. It’s your choice.

Myth #2: Your Partner Expects You to Stay

This is a big myth. No one expects you to stay in a relationship where they’ve violated your trust unless they are smoking crack. If that is the case then you should definitely leave for their alleged drug use and not just because of their inability to stay faithful. Drug addiction is just as serious as infidelity. You make the choice to stay. No one can force you and if you want to work on your relationship, there is nothing wrong with that. Do what you want to do. But, a piece of advice….if your partner expects you to stay then there is a real problem. Either they will continue being unfaithful to you or they are a cold-hearted narcissist. Whatever it is you should run now. Trust me. Run!

Myth #3: You Are Not Built to Last

Yep, you are built to last. Whether you stay with an unfaithful partner or leave. You are fine. You are built to last. You’ve survived the pain of the betrayal and you will be okay. You don’t need medals advertising your pain. It’s okay to cry and go through it alone. You are a survivor. I believe that in Coretta’s case that she may have stayed not just because she loved her husband but in actuality for a self-serving purpose. Her husband was changing history. She knew this. His name would forever be emblazoned in history and hers too. She stayed because her purpose was his purpose. A shared purpose and therefore she prioritized. She chose to stay. Her choice. Individual choice. If you choose not to stay that doesn’t mean that you are less than someone else. You are still you.

Infidelity is a serious issue and I don’t want anyone to think that you have to stay in an unhealthy relationship with a cheater. If you forgive and stay that is your choice and no one is judging you for it. If you leave it is your choice as well but in either case understand that you are beautifully and wonderfully made and this pain that you’re in will heal and you will get better. I promise you.

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Published by Tikeetha T

A mother to a beautiful boy and a businesswoman. I am divorced and dating and I talk about everything from parenting,co-parenting, relationships, dating and social issues. Follow my blog at https://athomaspointofview.com/
View all posts by Tikeetha T

This is hilarious because I know people, men and women alike, that believe this: staying in unhealthy relationships is a sign of strength. It’s not. There are enough things in relationships to contend with that will test your strength, infidelity shouldn’t have to be one. In the end, the strong thing may be to leave your cheating partner.

Good one! It is amazing how in 2015 you hear people say such things right? I have heard some ridiculous stuff too and makes me wonder in which era I am and how long the people who say such things will last.

Another wonderful blog! Your images killed me hahaha. I would agree there are a lot of factors that going into deciding to stay or go, but none of them have to do with how strong or weak a person is. Also kuddos to you on yourself control. I don’t think I could have held the feminists in me down and keep from saying some retort about how men were never built to last since they have been cheating on their women since the dawn of time.

This made me laugh in the beginning. I’ve never come across someone who thought a woman should just stay with someone because they married them, regardless of them being unfaithful. What the hell? Staying does not make you a strong woman. Not putting up with bullshit and doing what’s right for you is what makes you strong. Whether you stay and forgive is your decision. But, I’d be out the door without even letting my husband give an explanation.

I like your post. The way you end is nice. Cheating in relationship is bad but let the cheated person decide whether to forgive or call it quits. Sometimes it is not lack of love but weakness; the inability to say no.

that’s so relevant to a lot of people – who stay with cheating partners out of guilt or a misplaced sense of loyalty and responsibility. As you rightly said, you may “choose” to, choose being the key word. If you don’t want to , by all means, walk out without a second look.
Very well written.

Not too many men are on the same mission as Dr. King. She sacrificed in many ways and so did he. He gave his life. Not to discount anything here, but there’s some perspective. (I dont know if o could have stayed.) What if she had left?